Many of you know, or know of, Maddy. She is one of the two amazing women who paced me to my finish at the TARC 100 a month ago.

Me and my pacers, Erica (center) and Maddy (right).

Without them I am not sure that I would have managed to finish in the allotted 30 hours.

At some point during the final 25 miles, one of the volunteers said that I would have to return the favor to Maddy some day soon by pacing her at a 100-miler.

I laughed.

Here’s the thing. Maddy is fast. I mean like threatening sub-3:00 marathon fast; I mean like she won the very first 100-miler she ever entered fast. Any pacing I would do for her would simply slow her down and cost her both time and place. Pacing her was out of the question. Last month however, she noticed my snazzy hydration belt (made by CamelBak but apparently discontinued). She asked me how I liked it (I loved it) and if it was heavy (it is not). Before acquiring one she asked if she could borrow it. After pacing me to my finish, I would have essentially done anything for her.

Turns out she loved it too, couldn’t find one anywhere else and asked if she could use it for the Leadville 100 next month.

Who was I to say no? Now a small part of me will be with her the entire way, keeping her hydrated, and hopefully pushing her to a strong finish and a big, shiny belt buckle!